Rise against Mayawati government, Varun Gandhi exhorts voters

Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), May 9 (IANS) A day after a court panel recommended revocation of the National Security Act (NSA) provisions against him, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Varun Gandhi asked the electorate of Pilibhit to rise against the “anti-poor” Mayawati government of Uttar Pradesh. Addressing voters in Puranpur in Pilibhit, which goes to the polls in the last phase May 13, Varun Gandhi said: “We should rise against the Mayawati government as she is against the poor and those promoting nationalism.”

“Everyone knows I do whatever I say even if I have to go to jail,” Varun Gandhi said, as his supporters chanted “Jai Sri Ram”.

“My fight is not against any individual but against all those who are against the poor and weaker sections of society.”

He exhorted the people: “Please remember, I don’t want to live in an Uttar Pradesh where people are suppressed, the poor are not looked after.”

Striking an emotive chord with the people, he said: “The day I was arrested, you all gave me blood, took bullets.

“When there is trouble upon you, then Varun Gandhi is prepared to take on your problems,” he declared to thunderous applause.

On Friday, the special advisory board of the Allahabad High Court recommended withdrawal of the stringent NSA invoked against the Varun Gandhi for his inflammatory communal utterances. The Mayawati government has decided to move the Supreme Court against this.

Varun Gandhi termed the court panel’s recommendation as “historic” and said the “authorities” would have to “answer” for the 20 days he spent in detention.